US announces $250 million arms package for Ukraine, including pivotal air defense ammo

WASHINGTON

The US announced Tuesday a new arms package for Ukraine valued at up to $250 million as Kyiv's forces continue to press a counteroffensive to reclaim territory occupied by Russia.

The latest tranche includes AIM-9M Sidewinder air defense missiles, more HIMARS long-range rockets, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, mine clearing equipment, anti-tank TOW missiles, Javelin anti-armor systems, Hydra-70 air-to-ground missiles and more than 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition, the Pentagon said in a statement.

It also includes armored medical vehicles and Humvee ambulances, as well as obstacle-clearing munitions and other unspecified field equipment.

The arms are being transferred to Ukraine under what is known as presidential drawdown authority, which allows President Joe Biden to send military equipment from existing US stocks to allied nations. The latest package marks the 45th time Biden has used the authorities to aid Ukraine.

The Biden administration has provided Ukraine with more than $43 billion in assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022.